Florida Legislature To Redraw Congressional Lines In Aug.
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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — A nearly two-week special session is going to be held in August so that the Florida Legislature can draw up new congressional districts.
House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner announced Monday that the special session will last from Aug. 10 until Aug. 21.
The state Supreme Court earlier this month threw out the state's existing districts. The court ruled that the map violated a voter-approved constitutional amendment prohibiting political lines from being drawn to favor incumbents or a political party.
The court gave the Republican-controlled Legislature 100 days to change the boundaries of eight districts. These changes could affect many more of the state's 27 congressional districts.
The looming changes are already disrupting Florida's political landscape. Former Gov. Charlie Crist announced Monday that he will likely run for Congress if one redrawn district includes his Pinellas County home.
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